Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Monday, Jul 14, 2025

BBC Arabic radio goes off air after 85 years

BBC Arabic radio goes off air after 85 years

The Arabic language radio is among 10 different languages that are ending due to inflation and licensing fees, BBC says.
BBC Arabic Radio has gone off air since Friday after 85 years of broadcasting as part of a plan to cut costs and focus on digital programming.

The corporation said it is cutting hundreds of jobs in its World Service and has been forced to make the cuts because of the United Kingdom government’s imposition of a freeze on the license fee money it receives.

At least 382 jobs worldwide will be cut as the corporation focuses on digital content production amid a $35m funding gap.

The BBC announced in September that the Arabic language radio service was among 10 different foreign language services that would cease radio broadcasts, including the Chinese, Hindi and Persian services.

Alastair Campbell, who used to be a strategist and adviser to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, said the UK government has had to make “very difficult choices” since the weakening of the economy due to Brexit and other factors.

“I think they’re very, very sad. I think that people underestimate the impact that the BBC has,” Campbell told Al Jazeera, adding that it is an independent broadcaster despite its links to the British government.

“What that meant for many countries around the world is that they see this as a really important, significant source of proper news gathering,” Campbell said. “I actually think that the undermining of the BBC is at the heart of the government’s strategy.”


The Arabic language station launched on January 3, 1938, from Egypt.

Hosam El Sokkari, former head of BBC Arabic, said the radio service was a “lifeline for lots of people in under privileged areas” as they listened to news via small and inexpensive devices.

“Now, they would have to use much more complicated and probably more expensive devices if they want to listen or enjoy the BBC services,” El Sokkari told Al Jazeera from Cairo.

“It’s quite a sad moment … especially that it was not only a language service, but a service where we had experimented with very early forms of interactions with audiences,” he said.

Similarly, former BBC India correspondent Mark Tully described the ending of these radio services as “very sad”.

“Radio is a very powerful medium, especially in South Asia,” Tully told Al Jazeera.

“I’ve seen the impact of radio, and it’s quite clear that it is probably the most attractive way of communicating news,” he said.

Many took to social media to express their sadness and disappointment towards the decision.

“It’s very disappointing that the BBC decided to get rid of one of its most listened-to radio services in its history. People in places like Sudan don’t have access to modern technology, and they rely on the BBC radio service, particularly the BBC arabic for their daily news,” one Twitter user wrote.


It was shocking news for “all Yemeni listeners from all over the country even the rural and remote areas,” another Twitter user wrote. “BBC radio was their only connection to the world. That’s really sad news.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
×